1. How do I book a trip?

To book an Altus Expeditions trip, just complete the online booking form and pay the $500 deposit.

Once your trip has met the minimum number of participants, then you will be notified by Altus Expeditions that your trip has been confirmed. Please do not book your airline tickets until your trip has been confirmed.

3. What form of payments do you accept?

4. What if I need to cancel my trip?

If you wish to cancel your trip, you must submit the cancellation notice to us in writing. Cancellation must be done in writing by the person to whom the trip was invoiced. The following fees apply, based on the number of days before departure that your written notification is received:

91 or more days $0 (your deposit will be refunded)

61 to 90 days $500

31 to 60 days 50% of the trip price

0 to 30 days 100% of the trip price.

This is in part why we require that you purchase trip insurance that contains adequate coverage in the event you need to cancel your trip.

5. What if I need to change to a different trip date?

If you wish to change to a different trip date, you must submit the change request to us in writing. A trip date change request must be done in writing by the person to whom the trip was invoiced. The following fees apply, based on the number of days before departure that your written notification is received:

91 or more days $0

61 to 90 days $50

31 to 60 days $100

0 to 30 days $500

**NOTE**: If your request to change dates results in the minimum group size of your original trip not being met, then this request will be treated as a cancellation in accordance with our cancellation policy.

6. What if Altus Expeditions cancels the trip?

We reserve the right, in any circumstance, to cancel a trip, but we will not cancel a trip less than 45 days before trip departure except for unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company Altus Expeditions’ control. Prior to 45 days before trip departure, cancellation may occur if inadequate sign-up makes a trip economically unfeasible for us to operate. If we do cancel your trip due to inadequate sign-up, we will inform you at least 45 days prior to departure and any monies paid by you to Altus Expeditions will be refunded to you.

Another reason a trip may be canceled is because of circumstances beyond our control. Examples of circumstances beyond our control are: weather problems or other forces of nature (i.e. flood or landslide making our route impassable), government action (i.e. closure of an area due to political or ethnic minority unrest, border tensions between governments, etc.). If your trip needs to be canceled more than 45 days before tour departure date for one of the reasons listed above, we will refund all monies paid by you to Altus Expeditions. If a trip is canceled 45 days or less from trip departure date because of circumstances described above, no refund will be given from any monies paid by you to Altus Expeditions. This is in part why we require that you purchase trip insurance that contains adequate coverage in the event your trip is canceled.

7. What if my trip doesn’t have enough participants?

For the Karakoram Highway cycle trip the minimum group size is 6 participants. Some of our trips may run with fewer participants than the minimum small group size advertised. Final group size is determined 60 days before trip departure. If the group size is less than the advertised small group size (i.e. 2, 3, 4, 5 participants), you will be given the option to transfer to a different departure date, pay more for participating on the trip with the undersized group, or receive a full refund of all monies paid by you to Altus Expeditions.

8. Do I need to purchase trip insurance?

To take part in one of our trips you must be covered by trip insurance. This trip insurance must contain coverage that provides such benefits as trip cancellation and interruption, medical and emergency assistance and evacuation expense (including helicopter rescue where allowed), and personal property protection. We do not sell trip insurance nor receive any commissions from insurance sales, but will recommend insurance companies who offer appropriate plans. Once purchased, you need to send us a photocopy of the trip insurance policy you have purchased. We reserve the right to cancel your booking at any time before departure if we are not satisfied that adequate trip insurance for you is in place.

9. Is airfare included in the trip price?

10. Can you help me book my airline tickets?

Yes, Altus Expeditions’ staff have expertise in making travel arrangements to/from the gateway city for trip participants (e.g. Beijing). If you would like us to provide you with an airfare quote, let us know when you book your trip by sending an email to cdunn@altus-expeditions.com.

12. Trip member responsibilities

On an adventure trip of this nature, it is imperative for you to abide by the authority of the trip leader, who represents Altus Expeditions. The decisions of the leader as to the itinerary, how the trip is conducted, and the objectives of the trip are final. Signing our “Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement” form signifies your agreement with this. If, in the opinion of the trip leader, your behavior or physical condition is detrimental to the safety, welfare and well-being of the group as a whole, you will be asked to leave the trip without the right to any refund.

It is in the nature of travel of this kind that arrangements and participants have to be flexible. The day-to-day agenda and ultimate goal of the trip are taken as aims and not as contractual obligations. It is a necessary condition of your joining any of our advertised trips that you accept this flexibility, and that you also accept that we cannot be held responsible for delays or alterations in the itinerary or for expenses incurred due to the following: international or internal flight cancellations, problems with automobiles and other means of transport, strikes, sickness, weather and other forces of nature, war, quarantine, or government closures (i.e. due to political or ethnic minority unrest, closure of an area due to border tensions between governments). You will be responsible for any such expenses incurred, which, depending on the circumstances, may be recoverable on your trip insurance.

Your obligations as a trip participant are as follows:

With the assistance of Altus Expeditions staff, select a trip appropriate for your physical and mental condition and within your area of interests

Prepare for the trip by studying the itinerary and other information sent to you by Altus Expeditions

Join the trip bringing appropriate gear and clothing as recommended by Altus Expeditions